Designer

Designer - Soft Wovens, Embellishment & Embroidery Karen Millen At Karen Millen, we’re known for elevated style, exceptional fabrics, and beautifully crafted detail. We’re now looking for a talented Designer - Soft Wovens, Embellishment & Embroidery to take a leading role in shaping our contemporary woven collections across occasionwear and premium daywear. This is an exciting opportunity for a confident designer with a strong design handwriting and a passion for craftsmanship, surface detail, and refined femininity. The Role As our Softs Designer, you will work closely with the Senior Design team to drive creative direction from initial concept through to production. With a particular focus on dresses, blouses, embellishment, and embroidery, you’ll create modern, elevated collections that balance creativity with commercial impact. You’ll bring proven experience designing woven dresses and tops, alongside a strong understanding of global development processes and hands-on experience working directly with suppliers in India and China. What You’ll Be Doing Leading the research, development, and design of soft woven ranges, including silhouettes, colour stories, fabrics, and elevated surface detail Creating and driving embellishment and embroidery concepts, from inspiration to final execution, including artwork packs, placements, and trim direction Owning fabric and trim development, managing libraries, overseeing samples, and ensuring design intent is delivered through to production Working closely with factories and suppliers in India and China to guide craftsmanship, construction, materials, finishes, and embellishment techniques Interpreting trade, sales, and customer insight to deliver commercially successful, design-led product Collaborating cross-functionally with Buying, Garment Technology, and Technical teams on fittings, construction, and quality Preparing and presenting inspiring design direction through range boards, presentations, and reviews Staying ahead of global fashion and craft trends, with a particular focus on Indian textile traditions and modern artisanal techniques About You A design-based degree with solid experience at Designer level, ideally within soft wovens, embellishment, or surface design A strong contemporary design handwriting across occasionwear and elevated daywear Proven experience working directly with suppliers and factories in India and China Commercially aware, trend-driven, and confident taking ownership of your product area A collaborative team player who thrives in a fast-paced, creative environment A genuine passion for textiles, craftsmanship, and the refined Karen Millen aesthetic Working With Us This is a fast-paced, design-led environment where ownership, pace, and innovation are essential. We value designers who are confident in their ideas, comfortable making decisions, and excited to push creative boundaries while remaining commercially focused. Why Join Karen Millen? We’re part of a growing global e-commerce group with multiple brands and expanding opportunities. Individuality matters here - we want every team member to feel valued, empowered, and inspired to bring their best ideas forward. What you'll get: 25 days holiday plus bank holidays Discretionary bonus scheme Company share scheme Life Assurance Company Pension Scheme Employee assistance programme including 24-hour confidential helpline Our Reward Platform allows you to tailor your benefits to suit your needs - such as Private Healthcare, Dental and Healthcare Cash Plans, a Cycle2work Scheme and plenty of fun anytime benefits such as coffee club or virgin experience days. Discount across all Debenhams Group brands Discount & Cashback portal Season Ticket Loans Learning and development support and opportunities both internally and externally Our social calendar? Next level! #LI-GS1